I was searching around the forums and found many write ups on how to install the homelink in under 10 easy steps. After looking at them all, they all had something in common. They had the sunroof panel, were a razor blade cut will do. After no luck in finding one for non-sunroof I came up with my own DIY. First DIY write up so please PM or post questions and comments. Enjoy **disclaimer: I will not hold responsibility for any damage to the vehicle or user**

Step 5:
Secure the cover to the table (or any another stable object)http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...Y/DSC02754.jpg
Notice I have scored the line I want to cut. I found it easier to measure out the piece and making the lines BEFORE CUTTING. That way you were able to see your general cut out shape. Should be 2.5 x 2.0 rectangle.

Step 6:
Here is were you will need the Dremel. Take the cover and cut along the razor lines. I also suggest you leave yourself a little room so you can file/sand down the extra towards the end. It doesn't matter which side you cut first. Safety Eyewear is a good thing to have here, Dremel bits may break, or plastic pieces may kick up. You can see how I cut the 4 sideshttp://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...Y/DSC02758.jpg

Step 10:
Reverse your tracks and install your new Homelink.
I started with popping the outer trim back in (with the cut tab edge facing the back of the car), follow the metal backing plate.
I fit the Homelink to the cover first like sohttp://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a2...Y/DSC02761.jpg
Then install the cover and Homelink simultaneously. You will need to give it a good push to get it back in, but nothing should break.

waitaminute~! there is no need to do all this cutting. the trim panel with the cutout for the homelink is available as an OEM part from BMW~! that's what i did with mine. (i installed this back in 2001, so my memory is a bit faint, but i'm 100% sure i didn't cut anything or do any DIY for it-- just bought the parts, plugged it in and that was it).

well, i sold my car and i took out the transmitter. so was selling the stock trim piece now and took photos of it (FYI, i already sold it on eBay). notice (see the photos) that it not only has the correct centered cutout for the homelink unit, but also a metal frame on the other side that stabilizes the trim piece and also hold the homelink unit there.

I was looking for something like that.
I even asked the dealerships here and they gave me a funny look. Do you happen to know what the part number was?

TerraPhantm

02-15-2011 10:26 PM

Wow, I've never actually seen a non-sunroof E46 before - I never knew how different that area looks. GJ on the DIY (though I do agree that the all-black looks better)

Any particular reason you mounted it offset instead of centered?

jm323Ci

02-21-2011 05:03 AM

Hey TerraPhantm,

I actually didn't know about the black mounting brackets were offered OEM. I've tried to search it on realoem.com to see if i could provide a part number to the dealers locally here and no luck. When I asked them, they had no clue what I was talking about.

And the reason for offset was to avoid the center reinforcement bar, it just make the cutting of the hole from my original plate a little easier to access.

I agree, I like the black after seeing it.

325ci.com

02-22-2011 11:26 AM

I've been getting a few message about the OEM Homelink mounting "kit" that I posted above. It was so long ago (bought it in 2001 when I bought my car) I don't remember much about it. I know I ordered it from a BMW dealer here in the USA so it should be an OEM and available part.

Mine also had no sunroof, but I don't think I've seen that before. Is you headliner all one piece? You could try and pop the center light unit out and feel inside to see what you have to work with. You might have to cut your own opening, similar to what they did in this DIY The only difference is that you might have to pull your whole headliner down if its all one piece :thumbdwn:

Mannydog

11-09-2013 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 325ci.com
(Post 12491549)

well, i sold my car and i took out the transmitter. so was selling the stock trim piece now and took photos of it (FYI, i already sold it on eBay). notice (see the photos) that it not only has the correct centered cutout for the homelink unit, but also a metal frame on the other side that stabilizes the trim piece and also hold the homelink unit there.